Monday, August 31, 2009

Things just seem to keep getting busier and busier around here. I really do have several recipes that I want to post but I just have not had the time. I wanted to at least get something new posted on my blog so I looked through my hundreds of pictures!

I had my husband move this old John Deere pressdrill into our yard about four or five years ago. I thought it would look cute as a planter for flowers. A drill like this was used in the 1950's to plant small grains such as wheat and barley. Now adays, of course, we use much bigger machinery. See this post for a look at our current seeder.

Here is a little closer up picture. Pretty cute huh?

Thanks for all the comments on my sunflower pictures. I really, really love hearing from all of you. You totally make this farmchick's day! :) I am hoping to get around to visit you all soon.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Farmchick has been really busy lately. She is feeling bad that she has not posted in over a week. SO, we thought we would step in and give you a quick update. She has been gardening, painting, getting the kids ready for school and just celebrated Little Farmchick's birthday.

She has been cooking up some yummy meals too....and we know she wants to share them with you. (WE JUST HOPE THE RECIPES DO NOT CONTAIN BEEF!)

If you stopped by for a visit please leave Farmchick a message....we know she loves hearing from you. Thanks for stopping by.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

More farming photos for you! A few weeks ago our flax was blooming. Our kids have learned that when the flax is blooming be prepared to traipse out to the fields so that Mom can take a ton of pictures! I love taking pictures of our kids in our fields. You probably noticed that I don't post a lot of pictures of actual people on my blog....I do on occasion though. I don't really feel comfortable posting family pictures so I save those shots for my family ect...

I love flax when it is blooming. When you look across the country side enjoy a sea of blue. A flax field from far away looks much like a lake. It's beautiful.

A little information about flax--FYI!!

Flax production goes back to ancient history. Flax remnants were found in Stone Age dwellings in Switzerland, and ancient Egyptians made fine linens from flax fiber. Flax production moved west across the northern United States and Canada during the 1800s. As settlers moved west, flax was one of the crops produced. North Dakota farmers have grown flax since sod first was broken.

Producers grow two types of flax: seed flax for the oil in its seed and fiber flax for the fiber in its stem. Today producers in the upper Midwest and the Prairie Provinces of Canada grow seed flax. North Dakota is the leading producer of flax for oil and food use in the United States. Flax seed is crushed to produce linseed oil and linseed meal. Linseed oil has many industrial uses; linseed meal is used for livestock feed.

Human consumption of flax seed is increasing rapidly for its high dietary fiber, its omega-3 oils and anti-carcinogenic lignans. Flax seed oil is used as a vegetable oil by some consumers and processors say its use is doubling annually. Whole, (preferably) ground flax seed is consumed mostly in bakery products. Hens fed flax seed produce "omega eggs," which are sold in the U.S. and Canada for their high omega-3 oil content. Much flax seed meal also is fed to pets and other animals. Research is being conducted to determine the health benefits of human consumption of flax seed products.

So, there you have it--fresh from the farm! ;) We have been busy here preparing for harvest. It was finally HOThere today...when I drove our utility vehicle through a corn field I think I could actually hear the corn growing! We also have been moving things into our new shop that is FINALLY done. I am trying not to think about school starting soon...if I don't think about school it won't start right?? If you stopped in for a visit drop me a line and tell me what you have been up too!